Parametric Study of Dumbbell-Shaped Specimens for Compression Testing of Ceramics Using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

Compression strength testing of ceramics has historically been conducted using cylindrical- or cuboidal-shaped specimens due to simplistic analysis and reduced machining costs. However, these specimen geometries tend to exhibit large amounts of scatter and often fail from a nonuniform state of stress, rendering the strength results inconclusive. Instead, a dumbbell-shaped compression specimen has been proposed, simulated, and utilized for such strength tests to provide better estimates of material performance. This study reevaluates that specimen geometry via a modern finite element analysis simulation software. A parametric study is performed to investigate how modifications to the original specimen, its associated geometry, and simulation parameters could alter its performance during compression strength tests. High-rate testing with this specimen is also simulated using an explicit analysis code. It was determined that alterations to the specimen geometry most affected the performance, and it is suggested that a systematic study be carried out to identify further improvements to specimen geometry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 26, 2020
Accession Number
AD1107693

Entities

People

  • Adam Taylor
  • John J. Pittari

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Armor Plate
  • Boundaries
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Compression
  • Compressive Strength
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Fracture (Mechanics)
  • Friction
  • Geometry
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Shear Stresses
  • Simulations
  • Strain Rate
  • Stress Concentration
  • Stresses

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.